Design and Construction
Primrose specified a solid-fiberglass hull, with 2,950 pounds of lead ballast in the fin keel and a skeg-hung rudder aft. The Moody 30 displaces 8,100 pounds and has a beam of just over 10 feet, giving her a length-to-beam ratio of 2.96 and a ballast-displacement ratio of 36.4 percent.
The builder offered different keel alternatives. Depending on load, the fin-keel version draws 4.76 to 5.06 feet, while an unknown variant draws 5.09 to 5.39 feet. Wetted surface is about 290 square feet, and immersion is 1,066 pounds per inch.
Rig and Handling
The Moody 30 has a masthead rig carrying 399 square feet of sail. Its halyards are 79.2 feet of 3/8-inch line, and the mainsheet is 75.2 feet long.
The sail-area-to-displacement ratio is 15.83, while the comfort ratio is 21.2. The capsize screening value is 2.01, and hull speed is 6.83 knots. Together, those figures describe a moderate cruiser profile.
Accommodations and Tankage
The 26-foot waterline and 10-foot beam provide a stable cabin platform. Tankage is listed as 60 gallons of water and 30 gallons of diesel.
Refits and Ownership
Production ended in 1979, so every Moody 30 is now a mature boat. Its original MD11 engine and period rigging have had decades of service. The lead-ballasted fin keel and standard-diameter rigging are straightforward to maintain.
The Verdict
The Moody 30 is a sober small cruiser from Primrose’s board, built in modest numbers. She offers accessible draft and predictable load behavior.
Pros
- Solid-fiberglass hull
- Lead-ballasted fin keel
- Skeg-hung rudder
- Draft shallow enough for most marinas across the two keel options
Cons
- Modest sail-area-to-displacement ratio limits light-air pace
- Limited production run means fewer boats to choose from
